What each telescope type is best for observing

[umberto]

There are a confusing number of telescope types; maksutov, SCT, newtonian, refractor.

What are peoples opinons on what each type is best suited to show based on their experiences with them.

[brantuk]

For dso's I'd pick a big aperture dob for observing but a short focal length refractor for imaging them.

For planets a long focal length schmitt or maksutov cassegrain on either an alt/az or eq driven mount. Either is fine for observing or imaging solar system objects.

My favourite for observing anything at the moment is a cassegrain with binoviewers on alt/az goto.

But I reckon it's all subjective (apart from the obvious maths for imaging) and up to what you wanna see and do - others may choose differently to me